Concerned Student 1950 re-issues demands to the University of Missouri

Concerned Student 1950, led by University of Missouri graduate student Jonathan Butler, second from right, speaks following the announcement that University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe would resign. (file photo)

Concerned Student 1950 released revised demands with further information for the University of Missouri on Wednesday, in an effort to promote their stance for the “advancement for Blacks on campus.”

The revised demands are three-through-eight of their original list which was released in late 2015 following protests on the UM-Columbia campus which led to the resignation of University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe.

In a statement released through the group’s Twitter account, they made it clear that these demands are not requests and they must be met. The group set deadlines mostly falling in the range from March 2016-August 2016.

Below is a transcript of Concerned Student 1950’s demands:

Demand III.
We demand that the University of Missouri meets the Legion of Black Collegians’ demands that were presented in 1969 for the betterment of the black community.

Demand IV.
We demand that the University of Missouri creates and enforces comprehensive racial awareness and inclusion curriculum throughout all campus departments and units, mandatory for all students, faculty, staff, and administration. This curriculum must be vetted, maintained, and overseen by a board comprised of students, staff, and faculty of color.

What does this look like?
Using established programs to create workshops for racial awareness and inclusion
Example: Summer/Fall Welcome

The core of these workshops will focus on building cultural competencies by properly educating students on the creation, implementation and long-lasting effects of racism on marginalizing identities, particularly African-Americans.

Creating a campus culture that not only recognizes, but respects the cultural differences between ethnicity by first educating students on the variances in the American identity.

How to measure the results?
You cannot quantify culture. It is not to be measured. It is simply the way of life through respect and genuine love for ALL people.
Diverse education within the classroom prepares students for citizenship, as they are exposed to varying identities and the systems of oppression that follow in their intertwined course work.
Thus, inclusion of diverse education into the curriculum should be mandatory and all-inclusive. Under this requirement, students will be required to earn a C or higher in courses that substantially addresses issues of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic standing, sexuality, religion, etc.

Demand V.
We demand that by the academic year 2017/­2018, the University of Missouri increases the percentage of black faculty and staff campus­wide to 10%.

Demand VI.
We demand that the University of Missouri composes a strategic 10 year plan by May 1, 2016 that will increase retention rates for marginalized students, sustain diversity curriculum and training, and promote a more safe and inclusive campus.

Demand VII.
We demand that the University of Missouri increases funding and resources for the University of Missouri Counseling Center for the purpose of hiring additional mental health professionals; particularly those of color, boosting mental health outreach and programming across campus, increasing campus­wide awareness and visibility of the counseling center, and reducing lengthy wait times for prospective clients.

Demand VII must be met by June 2016.1969 Demand #8
There will be the set up of an academic bankruptcy program for the entire campus. This program will allow a student to drop an entire semester from his records for justifiable circumstances. These circumstances will determined per case by the council described in point #3 for Blacks and other non-white students.

1969 Demand #9
A panel will interview and select for hiring all people on the staff of the Office of Minority Students. The panel will consist of the LBC Executive Board and those remaining members of the Office of Minority Students.

Legion of Black Collegians Demands #8 & #9 from 1969 must be met by August, 2016.

The racial climate on the University of Missouri’s campus must be addressed and adhered to as marginalized students are the ones suffering from the lack of emphasis on creating a more safe and inclusive campus.

There is still no hate crime policy in place to address incidents of bigotry and racism on campus, and white students are given the autonomy to demonstrate hatred to their minority counterparts with little fear that they will face consequences.

The 10 year Strategic Plan must be made by May 2, 2016.
Who Should be on this board?
Dr. Shonekan
Chuck Henson
Imani Simmons-Elloie
Marshall Allen
Reuben Faloughi

When should this be done?
Should start immediately with the class of 2020.
According to the Note to the Senate Membership from Legislative Assembly Secretary Professor Neal Garrett at UCLA, “Positive impacts on individual perspectives on diversity issues and greater racial-cultural engagement at the institutional level have been noted in research on efforts to promote understanding of diversity issues (such as diversity curricula). A survey of UCLA students found that 63% of over 8,400 respondents were in favor of the Undergraduate Diversity Requirement. These issues, along with the favorable response of students, have resulted in the proposal of a diversity course requirement for undergraduate students in the College.”

Demand VIII.
We demand that the University of Missouri increases funding, resources, and personnel for the social justices centers on campus for the purpose of hiring additional professionals, particularly those of color, boosting outreach and programming across campus, and increasing campus­wide awareness and visibility.

According to Census.gov, African Americans make up 13.2% of the population. However at the University of Missouri, black students only make up a whopping 7%. African American faculty make up, an even lower, 3.25% of the total faculty.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF “TARGETED HIRING” DEMAND MUST BE MET BY: AUGUST, 2016

It would be beneficial to the University to hire more Black faculty so that they can prove to their students, the nation, and the world that the University values Black scholars. This would aid in the recruitment and retention of Black students because WE can have comfort in knowing that our professors can relate to being Black in America.
$6,000

Funding needs to be increased for social justice centers for boosting outreach and programming across campus.
$250,000

The Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center needs to be granted $250,000 for expansion. The expansion space would be called the “Liberation House.”

Statue
Lloyd Gaines must be placed in the center of Carnahan Quadrangle also known as “Tent City”

Blueprints for the liberation house: August 2016
House expansion completed: August 2017

Students at the University of Missouri need counselors with lived experiences that extend beyond their formal training. Students dealing with mental health crises especially need counselors that can understand the intersections of their identities and relate to their lived experiences

There should be one psychologist or counselor per every 1,500 students. Based on current enrollment data, to meet this demand, the University would have to hire 14 more psychologists or counselors.

This would increase the budget by $840,000 by 2017. This is approximately the equivalent of 40 in-state undergraduate students’ tuition.